More than two decades ago, Ginger Snaps,a modest, lycanthropy-themed horror film from Canada, hit the festival circuit, receiving solid critical notices, but limited returns at the box office. Thankfully, Ginger Snaps didn't disappear into obscurity like so many of its contempories horror-wise. Instead, it received a much-deserved second life on the home video format, impressing graduate students and horror fans alike with its subtext-rich narrative, carefully crafted characters, and knockout performances from its co-stars, Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle. Two sequels followed, but few films in or out of the horror genre since have explored its themes or ideas with similar depth or insight, though My Animal, Jacqueline Castel’s feature-length debut, might come closest. While Ginger Snaps tied female sexuality — and its first, hormonally driven expression — with lycanthropic transformation, the ‘80s-set My Animal connects lycanthropy...
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- 11/30/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Blood in the Snow Film Festival (Bits), a unique and imaginative showcase of contemporary Canadian genre films, are pleased to announce the Blood in the Snow Film Festival is back for its 12th exciting edition fully in-person November 20th – 25th at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto presented by Super Channel.
Thrillers play a big part of the lineup this year with the festival feature opener Last County by Barret Mulholland and the World Premiere of Walking Supply from director Derek Barnes.
Other highlights include the highly acclaimed My Animal, from director Jacqueline Castel which recently won the Silver Audience Award for Best Canadian Feature at Fantasia and long time alumni Jesse Thomas Cook returns with The Hyperborean. Jesse’s last film to premiere at Bits in 2021, Cult Hero went on to be nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards.
Two short films that originally played at Bits before have been...
Thrillers play a big part of the lineup this year with the festival feature opener Last County by Barret Mulholland and the World Premiere of Walking Supply from director Derek Barnes.
Other highlights include the highly acclaimed My Animal, from director Jacqueline Castel which recently won the Silver Audience Award for Best Canadian Feature at Fantasia and long time alumni Jesse Thomas Cook returns with The Hyperborean. Jesse’s last film to premiere at Bits in 2021, Cult Hero went on to be nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards.
Two short films that originally played at Bits before have been...
- 11/19/2023
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) leads the genre-bending werewolf movie My Animal, available now in select theaters and VOD, and the musically inclined actor also wrote and performed a new single “Wicked Animal” now available to stream.
The new single is available to listen to now, which Stenberg wrote, produced and plays everything on the track.
Stenberg says of the track in a press release, “I wrote this track from the bathroom of a hotel in a tiny town situated between mountains of snow in northern Ontario during the filming of our movie My Animal. Sometimes my costar Bobbi and I wandered up and down the icy block that made up downtown, but most of the time we found solace from the cold in our room together, singing on handheld karaoke mics. This song came from that place of deep isolation and playfulness.”
My Animal, the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel,...
The new single is available to listen to now, which Stenberg wrote, produced and plays everything on the track.
Stenberg says of the track in a press release, “I wrote this track from the bathroom of a hotel in a tiny town situated between mountains of snow in northern Ontario during the filming of our movie My Animal. Sometimes my costar Bobbi and I wandered up and down the icy block that made up downtown, but most of the time we found solace from the cold in our room together, singing on handheld karaoke mics. This song came from that place of deep isolation and playfulness.”
My Animal, the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel,...
- 9/29/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
‘My Animal’ Director Jacqueline Castel on Star Chemistry in Steamy Werewolf Genre-Bender [Interview]
My Animal, the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel, gives a new spin on the werewolf mythos in a sexual coming-of-age genre-bender.
The feature debut centers on a secret tryst between small town hockey player Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) and ice skater Jonny (Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Amandla Stenberg) that grows ever more dangerous thanks to a family werewolf curse.
My Animal premiered in select theaters on September 8 and will be released on Digital outlets on September 15.
Bloody Disgusting previously spoke with Castel about her debut out of Sundance, where the filmmaker broke down the werewolf metaphor and the symbolism behind her use of the color red. Ahead of its theatrical release, Castel shared the real-life chemistry between her leads for her twisted werewolf romance and how that translated to the screen.
Castel recalls how her casting fell into place, leading to a pair of leads who already had built-in chemistry.
The feature debut centers on a secret tryst between small town hockey player Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) and ice skater Jonny (Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Amandla Stenberg) that grows ever more dangerous thanks to a family werewolf curse.
My Animal premiered in select theaters on September 8 and will be released on Digital outlets on September 15.
Bloody Disgusting previously spoke with Castel about her debut out of Sundance, where the filmmaker broke down the werewolf metaphor and the symbolism behind her use of the color red. Ahead of its theatrical release, Castel shared the real-life chemistry between her leads for her twisted werewolf romance and how that translated to the screen.
Castel recalls how her casting fell into place, leading to a pair of leads who already had built-in chemistry.
- 9/13/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Jacqueline Castel felt an "instant connection" to 'My Animal' when she read the script.The French director is at the helm of the upcoming horror movie - which follows a woman who is forced by her overbearing parents to keep her lycanthropy a secret, until she begins to fall in love with a figure skater - explained that when she read Jae Matthews' screenplay allowed her to bring the werewolf genre to the screen in a whole new way. She told MovieWeb: "I felt instantly connected to the world and the universe and the characters that Jae was building. I saw a lot of potential because I found it really interesting to explore the werewolf genre in a way that I didn't think had been done before."Jacqueline added that she "loves" the sound of an ice rink and explained the challnges of getting the sounds associated with one...
- 9/9/2023
- by Jordan Beck
- Bang Showbiz
Paramount has debuted a new trailer for the genre-bending supernatural love story ‘My Animal.’
Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather’s suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.
Directed by Jacqueline Castel, the movie stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie & Harrison Halpenny, Joe Apollonio, Scott Thompson, Dean McDermott and Stephen McHattie.
Also in trailers – “Tenacity is a superpower…” Michael Peña stars in trailer for ‘A Million Miles Away’
The film hits select U.S. cinemas in September 8th, followed by a digital release on the 15th of September.
The post Love doesn’t run smooth in trailer for ‘My Animal’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather’s suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.
Directed by Jacqueline Castel, the movie stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie & Harrison Halpenny, Joe Apollonio, Scott Thompson, Dean McDermott and Stephen McHattie.
Also in trailers – “Tenacity is a superpower…” Michael Peña stars in trailer for ‘A Million Miles Away’
The film hits select U.S. cinemas in September 8th, followed by a digital release on the 15th of September.
The post Love doesn’t run smooth in trailer for ‘My Animal’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 8/19/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The horror romance My Animal – which stars Amandla Stenberg of Bodies Bodies Bodies (read our review of that one Here) and Bobbi Salvör Menuez of Nocturnal Animals (which we reviewed at This Link) – has been getting positive reviews and strong word of mouth from its festival screenings, and a wider audience will soon have the chance to see it. The movie will be receiving a limited theatrical release on September 8th, with a digital release following on September 15th. And with those dates drawing near, a trailer for My Animal has arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above.
My Animal is coming our way from Paramount Global Content Distribution. The feature directorial debut of Jacqueline Castel, who was working from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jae Matthews, the film is set in a small northern town and tells the story of Heather, an outcast teenage...
My Animal is coming our way from Paramount Global Content Distribution. The feature directorial debut of Jacqueline Castel, who was working from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jae Matthews, the film is set in a small northern town and tells the story of Heather, an outcast teenage...
- 8/18/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Bobbi Salvör Menuez (Euphoria) and Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) ignite in this genre-bending supernatural love story. Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather's suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within. Jacqueline Castel's Sundance midnighter My Animal will arrive in select theaters on September 8, 2023 and on digital on September 15, 2023. Paramount is distribuing the slow-burn werewolf flick next month so they have sent along the official trailer and key art so you know what to look for. My Animal stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie &...
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- 8/17/2023
- Screen Anarchy
"I'll be back before midnight, so..." Paramount Global has revealed an official trailer for a supernatural love story titled My Animal, from filmmaker Jacqueline Castel. This first premiered in the Midnight section of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and also played at the Fantasia & Overlook Film Festivals. Bobbi Salvör Menuez and Amandla Stenberg ignite in this genre-bending horror film. Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather (an outcast teenage goalie) is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny (a tormented figure skater), their connection threatens to unravel Heather's suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within (clearly it's a werewolf). "Beneath the surface of a harrowing family drama, a steamy teen romance, and a classic monster tale, Castel bolsters this genre gem with a tactile and emotional excavation of otherness." The cast includes Heidi von Palleske,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Filmmakers love to use horny horror and genre metamorphosis for tales of eroticism or queer eroticism: hell, it works, and it’s often a beguiling mixture of moods, tones, and feelings in our nether regions. And that seems to be what filmmaker Jacqueline Castel is going for with “My Animal,” a surreal, erotic, romantic werewolf movie that premiered at Sundance earlier this year.
Written by Jae Matthews, the film stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez (from “Euphoria”), Amandla Stenberg (“Bodies Bodies Bodies”), Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie & Harrison Halpenny, Joe Apollonio, Scott Thompson, Dean McDermott, and Stephen McHattie.
Continue reading ‘My Animal’ Trailer: Amandla Stenberg & ‘Euphoria’s Bobbi Salvör Menuez Star In A Trippy Lesbian Werewolf Romance at The Playlist.
Written by Jae Matthews, the film stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez (from “Euphoria”), Amandla Stenberg (“Bodies Bodies Bodies”), Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie & Harrison Halpenny, Joe Apollonio, Scott Thompson, Dean McDermott, and Stephen McHattie.
Continue reading ‘My Animal’ Trailer: Amandla Stenberg & ‘Euphoria’s Bobbi Salvör Menuez Star In A Trippy Lesbian Werewolf Romance at The Playlist.
- 8/17/2023
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) leads the upcoming horror movie My Animal, which Paramount has announced today that they’ll be releasing this coming September.
First reported by Indiewire, My Animal premieres in theaters September 8 and will be released on Digital outlets on September 15. You can watch the official trailer below.
My Animal, the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel, has been rated “R” for: “Language throughout, sexual content, nudity, some drug use and violence.”
Amandla Stenberg stars in the upcoming horror movie alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
In the film…
“Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother, her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse...
First reported by Indiewire, My Animal premieres in theaters September 8 and will be released on Digital outlets on September 15. You can watch the official trailer below.
My Animal, the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel, has been rated “R” for: “Language throughout, sexual content, nudity, some drug use and violence.”
Amandla Stenberg stars in the upcoming horror movie alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
In the film…
“Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother, her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse...
- 8/17/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
A sexual awakening unlocks a supernatural curse in first-time filmmaker Jacqueline Castel’s “My Animal,” starring “Bodies Bodies Bodies” breakout Amandla Stenberg and “Euphoria” alum Bobbi Salvör Menuez.
“My Animal” premiered at 2023 Sundance and follows an adolescent queer romance between a mysterious outsider and a burnt-out figure skater. The film was written by Jae Matthews.
Per the official synopsis, tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather (Menuez) is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny (Stenberg), their connection threatens to unravel Heather’s suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.
Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie and Harrison Halpenny, Joe Apollonio, Scott Thompson, Dean McDermott, and Stephen McHattie round out the cast. The horror-romance is produced by Andrew Bronfman and Michael Solomon, and is a Paramount Global Content Distribution release.
Director Castel called the film...
“My Animal” premiered at 2023 Sundance and follows an adolescent queer romance between a mysterious outsider and a burnt-out figure skater. The film was written by Jae Matthews.
Per the official synopsis, tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather (Menuez) is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny (Stenberg), their connection threatens to unravel Heather’s suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.
Heidi von Palleske, Cory Lipman, Charlie and Harrison Halpenny, Joe Apollonio, Scott Thompson, Dean McDermott, and Stephen McHattie round out the cast. The horror-romance is produced by Andrew Bronfman and Michael Solomon, and is a Paramount Global Content Distribution release.
Director Castel called the film...
- 8/17/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Quebec festival wrapped on August 9.
Talk To Me, the horror hit from Danny and Michael Philippou which has grossed more than $31m in North America and close to $50m worldwide, has been named best international feature in the 2023 Fantasia audience awards.
In other key awards Lee Sang-yong’s South Korean title The Roundup: No Way Out was named best Asian feature, while Shigeyoshi Tsukahara’s Japanese entry Kurayukaba earned best animated feature, and
Satan Wants You from Steve J. Adams and Sean Horlor took the inaugural Dgc Audience Award for Best Canadian Film (narrative or documentary).
The full list of audience award winners appears below.
Talk To Me, the horror hit from Danny and Michael Philippou which has grossed more than $31m in North America and close to $50m worldwide, has been named best international feature in the 2023 Fantasia audience awards.
In other key awards Lee Sang-yong’s South Korean title The Roundup: No Way Out was named best Asian feature, while Shigeyoshi Tsukahara’s Japanese entry Kurayukaba earned best animated feature, and
Satan Wants You from Steve J. Adams and Sean Horlor took the inaugural Dgc Audience Award for Best Canadian Film (narrative or documentary).
The full list of audience award winners appears below.
- 8/14/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
A couple weeks ago, the Fantasia International Film Festival announced the films that won jury prizes at the 27th edition of the show, which recently came to a close. Yesterday, our own Tyler Nichols shared his list of favorite films from this year’s Fantasia festival. Now Fantasia has unveiled the list of audience award winners, with wins going to films like Talk to Me, The Roundup: No Way Out, Kurayukaba, and Satan Wants You, among others. The full list can be seen below:
Best International Feature
Gold: Talk To Me
Silver: Late Night With The Devil
Bronze: Hundreds Of Beavers
Best Asian Feature
Gold: The Roundup: No Way Out
Silver: River
Bronze: Phantom (South Korea d. Lee Hae-young)
Best Animated Feature
Gold: Kurayukaba
Silver: The Concierge
Bronze: The First Slam Dunk
The Dgc Audience Award for Best Canadian Film (Narrative or Documentary)
Satan Wants You – This year’s...
Best International Feature
Gold: Talk To Me
Silver: Late Night With The Devil
Bronze: Hundreds Of Beavers
Best Asian Feature
Gold: The Roundup: No Way Out
Silver: River
Bronze: Phantom (South Korea d. Lee Hae-young)
Best Animated Feature
Gold: Kurayukaba
Silver: The Concierge
Bronze: The First Slam Dunk
The Dgc Audience Award for Best Canadian Film (Narrative or Documentary)
Satan Wants You – This year’s...
- 8/14/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The horror romance My Animal – which stars Amandla Stenberg of Bodies Bodies Bodies (read our review of that one Here) and Bobbi Salvör Menuez of Nocturnal Animals (which we reviewed at This Link) – will be receiving a limited theatrical release on September 8th, with a digital release following on September 15th. With those dates right around the corner, the ratings board at the Motion Picture Association has gone ahead given the film an R rating for “language throughout, sexual content, nudity, some drug use and violence“.
My Animal is coming our way from Paramount Global Content Distribution. The feature directorial debut of Jacqueline Castel, who was working from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jae Matthews, the film is set in a small northern town and tells the story of Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater.
My Animal is coming our way from Paramount Global Content Distribution. The feature directorial debut of Jacqueline Castel, who was working from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jae Matthews, the film is set in a small northern town and tells the story of Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater.
- 8/7/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) stars in the upcoming horror movie My Animal, which was acquired out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year by Paramount.
My Animal has been officially rated “R” this week for…
“Language throughout, sexual content, nudity, some drug use and violence.”
My Animal is the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel.
Amandla Stenberg stars in the upcoming horror movie alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
In the film…
“Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small northern town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The girls’ relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother, her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse that transforms her into a feral wolf under the full moon.
“Heather and Jonny’s secret...
My Animal has been officially rated “R” this week for…
“Language throughout, sexual content, nudity, some drug use and violence.”
My Animal is the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel.
Amandla Stenberg stars in the upcoming horror movie alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
In the film…
“Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small northern town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The girls’ relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother, her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse that transforms her into a feral wolf under the full moon.
“Heather and Jonny’s secret...
- 8/2/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone have scotched plans to pick up a prestigious honor at Outfest, the Los Angeles Lgbtqia+ film festival, and it’s all down to the actors strike.
The Hollywood couple were to have accepted the James Schamus Ally Award at Outfest’s closing night on Sunday but cancelled because of the SAG-AFTRA walkout. The award, named for the co-founder and former CEO of Focus Features, recognizes McCarthy and Falcone’s support and advocacy for the Lgbtqia+ community.
“We understand that Melissa and Ben are unable to join us for our closing night due to the strike,” Outfest Executive Director Damien Navarro said in a statement. “We will miss them, as our closing night will be a wonderful celebration of our community.”
The festival wraps with a gala event at the Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, featuring a screening of Chasing Chasing Amy, a documentary that...
The Hollywood couple were to have accepted the James Schamus Ally Award at Outfest’s closing night on Sunday but cancelled because of the SAG-AFTRA walkout. The award, named for the co-founder and former CEO of Focus Features, recognizes McCarthy and Falcone’s support and advocacy for the Lgbtqia+ community.
“We understand that Melissa and Ben are unable to join us for our closing night due to the strike,” Outfest Executive Director Damien Navarro said in a statement. “We will miss them, as our closing night will be a wonderful celebration of our community.”
The festival wraps with a gala event at the Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, featuring a screening of Chasing Chasing Amy, a documentary that...
- 7/21/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone will not be attending the closing night of this year’s Outfest LA, where they were set to receive the James Schamus Ally Award.
The couple was expected to be on hand for the July 23 event at The Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, but their rep tells Variety that will not make an appearance due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“We understand that Melissa and Ben are unable to join us for our closing night due to the strike,” Outfest executive director Damien S. Navarro said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “We will miss them, as our closing night will be a wonderful celebration of our community.”
Outfest kicked off July 13 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Amandla Stenberg, who received the Platinum Maverick Award from the LGBTQ film festival, skipped the festivities in support of the actors walkout. Jacqueline Castel, director of Stenberg’s new indie,...
The couple was expected to be on hand for the July 23 event at The Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, but their rep tells Variety that will not make an appearance due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“We understand that Melissa and Ben are unable to join us for our closing night due to the strike,” Outfest executive director Damien S. Navarro said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “We will miss them, as our closing night will be a wonderful celebration of our community.”
Outfest kicked off July 13 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Amandla Stenberg, who received the Platinum Maverick Award from the LGBTQ film festival, skipped the festivities in support of the actors walkout. Jacqueline Castel, director of Stenberg’s new indie,...
- 7/20/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The SAG-AFTRA strike didn’t officially start until just after midnight on Friday, but Amandla Stenberg skipped the opening night of Outfest L.A. on Thursday in support of the movement.
The star of the upcoming “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte” was expected to be on hand to receive the Platinum Maverick Award from the LGBTQ film festival, but Jacqueline Castel, director of the actor’s new indie, “The Animal,” accepted it on her behalf.
“Amandla is deeply honored and would love to be here to celebrate with you, but she cannot be here today due to her support of the actors strike,” Castel said.
Earlier in the evening, SAG-AFTRA tweeted its support of Outfest going ahead with its plans for opening night. “Reminder: the #SAGAFTRAstrike starts at 12:01 a.m. on July 14,” the tweet read. “#SAGAFTRAmembers can support #OutfestLA tonight. We’ll support each other on the #SAGAFTRAstrike picket lines tomorrow.
The star of the upcoming “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte” was expected to be on hand to receive the Platinum Maverick Award from the LGBTQ film festival, but Jacqueline Castel, director of the actor’s new indie, “The Animal,” accepted it on her behalf.
“Amandla is deeply honored and would love to be here to celebrate with you, but she cannot be here today due to her support of the actors strike,” Castel said.
Earlier in the evening, SAG-AFTRA tweeted its support of Outfest going ahead with its plans for opening night. “Reminder: the #SAGAFTRAstrike starts at 12:01 a.m. on July 14,” the tweet read. “#SAGAFTRAmembers can support #OutfestLA tonight. We’ll support each other on the #SAGAFTRAstrike picket lines tomorrow.
- 7/14/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Amandla Stenberg has a couple of dates with Outfest next month.
First, the actress has been selected to receive the fest’s Platinum Maverick Award, an honor that “recognizes Stenberg’s artistry in film and music and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and activism within the LGBTQ+ community.” Stenberg will take the stage to accept the prize during opening night festivities at L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre on July 13.
Two days later, on July 15, Stenberg will turn up alongside co-star Bobbi Salvör Menuez and their director Jacqueline Castel at L.A.’s Redcat for a showing of their film, My Animal, as a festival platinum centerpiece screening. The screening, which follows a debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January, will be followed by a Platinum Alchemy Party and Music Showcase at 10Dtla, headlined by Madame Gandhi (who will receive a special award) and featuring such acts as Mega Bog,...
First, the actress has been selected to receive the fest’s Platinum Maverick Award, an honor that “recognizes Stenberg’s artistry in film and music and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and activism within the LGBTQ+ community.” Stenberg will take the stage to accept the prize during opening night festivities at L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre on July 13.
Two days later, on July 15, Stenberg will turn up alongside co-star Bobbi Salvör Menuez and their director Jacqueline Castel at L.A.’s Redcat for a showing of their film, My Animal, as a festival platinum centerpiece screening. The screening, which follows a debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January, will be followed by a Platinum Alchemy Party and Music Showcase at 10Dtla, headlined by Madame Gandhi (who will receive a special award) and featuring such acts as Mega Bog,...
- 6/15/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Musician Amandla Stenberg, Madame Gandhi to receive honours.
My Animal, Jacqueline Castel’s queer werewolf romance which premiered at Sundance, has been named the centrepiece screening at the 41st Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival running July 13-23.
Outfest will honour actor, producer and musician Amandla Stenberg with its Platinum Maverick Award at the opening night in recognition of her “artistry in film and music, and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and activism within the LGBTQ+ community”.
Stenberg and Bobbi Salvör Menuez star in My Animal, which screens on July 15. That night Madame Gandhi will receive...
My Animal, Jacqueline Castel’s queer werewolf romance which premiered at Sundance, has been named the centrepiece screening at the 41st Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival running July 13-23.
Outfest will honour actor, producer and musician Amandla Stenberg with its Platinum Maverick Award at the opening night in recognition of her “artistry in film and music, and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and activism within the LGBTQ+ community”.
Stenberg and Bobbi Salvör Menuez star in My Animal, which screens on July 15. That night Madame Gandhi will receive...
- 6/15/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Today, Outfest announced the centerpiece events and special awardees that will headline the 41st Outfest Los Angeles Summer Festival presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America, taking place July 13 – 23 in venues around Los Angeles.
Outfest will honor actor, producer and musician Amandla Stenberg with its Platinum Maverick Award, to be presented at the festival’s opening night celebration on July 13th at the Orpheum Theatre. The award recognizes Stenberg’s artistry in film and music, and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and activism within the LGBTQ+ community. Stenberg will also appear alongside actor Bobbi Salvör Menuez and director Jacqueline Castel at the Redcat in downtown Los Angeles at Outfest’s July 15th Platinum Centerpiece screening of My Animal, the trio’s queer horror romance that world premiered earlier this year at Sundance.
Following the My Animal screening on July 15th will be the Platinum...
Outfest will honor actor, producer and musician Amandla Stenberg with its Platinum Maverick Award, to be presented at the festival’s opening night celebration on July 13th at the Orpheum Theatre. The award recognizes Stenberg’s artistry in film and music, and her unapologetic use of her platform for fierce advocacy and activism within the LGBTQ+ community. Stenberg will also appear alongside actor Bobbi Salvör Menuez and director Jacqueline Castel at the Redcat in downtown Los Angeles at Outfest’s July 15th Platinum Centerpiece screening of My Animal, the trio’s queer horror romance that world premiered earlier this year at Sundance.
Following the My Animal screening on July 15th will be the Platinum...
- 6/15/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Lycanthropy serves as a metaphor for burgeoning queer desire in My Animal from director Jacqueline Castel. Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) is a benchwarmer on her local hockey team and deals with an alcoholic mother at home. Adding to her misery is the fact that she’s confined to her quarters during each full moon due to a dangerous transformation occurring within her. She finally finds a salve in Jonny (Amandla Stenberg), a figure skater who recently moved to town. Desperate to flee from her myriad problems, Heather hopes that Jonny will join her on the journey to society’s outskirts. Edited by […]
The post “My Techniques Are Intuitive”: Editors Marc Boucrot and Jacqueline Castel on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “My Techniques Are Intuitive”: Editors Marc Boucrot and Jacqueline Castel on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/4/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Lycanthropy serves as a metaphor for burgeoning queer desire in My Animal from director Jacqueline Castel. Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) is a benchwarmer on her local hockey team and deals with an alcoholic mother at home. Adding to her misery is the fact that she’s confined to her quarters during each full moon due to a dangerous transformation occurring within her. She finally finds a salve in Jonny (Amandla Stenberg), a figure skater who recently moved to town. Desperate to flee from her myriad problems, Heather hopes that Jonny will join her on the journey to society’s outskirts. Edited by […]
The post “My Techniques Are Intuitive”: Editors Marc Boucrot and Jacqueline Castel on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “My Techniques Are Intuitive”: Editors Marc Boucrot and Jacqueline Castel on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/4/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez), a hockey player with a troubled home life, becomes instantly drawn to figure skater Jonny (Amandla Stenberg) who’s just rolled into town. Despite being held captive in her own house during each full moon, Heather yearns to escape and have Jonny by her side. Teeming with queer sensuality and lust-fueled lycanthropy, director Jacqueline Castel’s My Animal injects originality into a classic monster mythology. Dp Bryn McCashin tells Filmmaker about lensing the film, which entailed frigid night shoots in Northern Ontario, Canada. See all responses to our annual Sundance cinematographer interviews here. Filmmaker: How and why did […]
The post “It Was -30 to -40 Degrees Celsius for Most of the Shoot”: Dp Bryn McCashin on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It Was -30 to -40 Degrees Celsius for Most of the Shoot”: Dp Bryn McCashin on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/4/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez), a hockey player with a troubled home life, becomes instantly drawn to figure skater Jonny (Amandla Stenberg) who’s just rolled into town. Despite being held captive in her own house during each full moon, Heather yearns to escape and have Jonny by her side. Teeming with queer sensuality and lust-fueled lycanthropy, director Jacqueline Castel’s My Animal injects originality into a classic monster mythology. Dp Bryn McCashin tells Filmmaker about lensing the film, which entailed frigid night shoots in Northern Ontario, Canada. See all responses to our annual Sundance cinematographer interviews here. Filmmaker: How and why did […]
The post “It Was -30 to -40 Degrees Celsius for Most of the Shoot”: Dp Bryn McCashin on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It Was -30 to -40 Degrees Celsius for Most of the Shoot”: Dp Bryn McCashin on My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/4/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Every production faces unexpected obstructions that require creative solutions and conceptual rethinking. What was an unforeseen obstacle, crisis, or simply unpredictable event you had to respond to, and how did this event impact or cause you to rethink your film? My Animal was not an easy shoot—we shot nights in the dead of winter in an isolated community in Northern Ontario. While there were a lot of challenges, the biggest and most obvious crisis we faced as a team was a Covid shutdown that resulted in a two week suspension of the shoot. This was what I had feared the […]
The post “It Cost Us Nearly a Quarter of Our Budget To Be Shut Down for Two Weeks” | Jacqueline Castel, My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It Cost Us Nearly a Quarter of Our Budget To Be Shut Down for Two Weeks” | Jacqueline Castel, My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/4/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Every production faces unexpected obstructions that require creative solutions and conceptual rethinking. What was an unforeseen obstacle, crisis, or simply unpredictable event you had to respond to, and how did this event impact or cause you to rethink your film? My Animal was not an easy shoot—we shot nights in the dead of winter in an isolated community in Northern Ontario. While there were a lot of challenges, the biggest and most obvious crisis we faced as a team was a Covid shutdown that resulted in a two week suspension of the shoot. This was what I had feared the […]
The post “It Cost Us Nearly a Quarter of Our Budget To Be Shut Down for Two Weeks” | Jacqueline Castel, My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It Cost Us Nearly a Quarter of Our Budget To Be Shut Down for Two Weeks” | Jacqueline Castel, My Animal first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/4/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Stars: Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Stephen McHattie | Written by Jae Matthews | Directed by Jacqueline Castel
With her homelife hampered by an alcoholic mother and a hockey team who keeps her on the sidelines, Heather has a lot to grapple with — including the fact that she’s actually a werewolf. When she meets promising ice-skating star Jonny, Heather’s world turns upside down, willing to risk her own safety in the name of blossoming romance. As Jonny seems content to join her on the outskirts, Heather is left to battle the horrors that lie in wait within herself.
Werewolves… haven’t we seen them somewhere before? From Werewolf By Night to half of the cast of Twilight, it’s a trope film has visited countless times — and it could easily be argued that we don’t need to again. If a filmmaker is going to tackle one of the stereotypical genre cornerstones,...
With her homelife hampered by an alcoholic mother and a hockey team who keeps her on the sidelines, Heather has a lot to grapple with — including the fact that she’s actually a werewolf. When she meets promising ice-skating star Jonny, Heather’s world turns upside down, willing to risk her own safety in the name of blossoming romance. As Jonny seems content to join her on the outskirts, Heather is left to battle the horrors that lie in wait within herself.
Werewolves… haven’t we seen them somewhere before? From Werewolf By Night to half of the cast of Twilight, it’s a trope film has visited countless times — and it could easily be argued that we don’t need to again. If a filmmaker is going to tackle one of the stereotypical genre cornerstones,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Jasmine Valentine
- Nerdly
Similar to vampire movies, the werewolf category is crowded with diverse takes on the creature from European folklore. From the classic The Wolf Man, horror-comedy An American Werewolf in London, to the cult classic Ginger Snaps, storytellers found fascinating ways to bring the mythos into the film medium. Unfortunately, Jacqueline Castel’s My Animal has an engrossing concept that it can’t pull off.
‘My Animal’ follows a dangerous romance L-r: Amandla Stenberg as Jonny and Bobbi Salvör Menuez as Heather | Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) lives with her extremely oppressive family with strict rules, which all revolves around her stern mother (Heidi von Palleske). Meanwhile, Heather spends much of her time at the local hockey rink, where she desperately wants to join the team. She’s forced to remain at home every time there’s a full moon, keeping her from any sort of a social life.
‘My Animal’ follows a dangerous romance L-r: Amandla Stenberg as Jonny and Bobbi Salvör Menuez as Heather | Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) lives with her extremely oppressive family with strict rules, which all revolves around her stern mother (Heidi von Palleske). Meanwhile, Heather spends much of her time at the local hockey rink, where she desperately wants to join the team. She’s forced to remain at home every time there’s a full moon, keeping her from any sort of a social life.
- 1/31/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
More than two decades ago, Ginger Snaps,a modest, lycanthropy-themed horror film from Canada, hit the festival circuit, receiving solid critical notices, but limited returns at the box office. Thankfully, Ginger Snaps didn't disappear into obscurity like so many of its contempories horror-wise. Instead, it received a much-deserved second life on the home video format, impressing graduate students and horror fans alike with its subtext-rich narrative, carefully crafted characters, and knockout performances from its co-stars, Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle. Two sequels followed, but few films in or out of the horror genre since have explored its themes or ideas with similar depth or insight, though My Animal, Jacqueline Castel’s feature-length debut, might come closest. While Ginger Snaps tied female sexuality — and its first, hormonally driven expression...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/30/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Indisputably the best female-centric werewolf movie shot in Canada since Ginger Snaps (2000) — admittedly not the most competitive of fields — sensual queer horror story My Animal marks an impressive, confident feature debut for several key talents. First and foremost, debutante director Jacqueline Castel, already an experienced short film and music video helmer who has collaborated with David Lynch and John Carpenter, imbues this first-feature script by Jae Matthews with a woozy, dreamy, retro sensibility. (Matthews is also half of the electronic band Boy Harsher along with Augustus Muller, who contribute a very John Carpenter-esque soundtrack of sustained drones and bass-heavy humming.)
Altogether, the team creates a richly hued setting for the young but in some ways more seasoned leads. Bobbi Salvor Menuez (I Love Dick) stars as a lovelorn teen-wolf living in the sticks who looks at Amandla Stenberg’s (Bodies Bodies Bodies) figure skater with the kind of longing you...
Altogether, the team creates a richly hued setting for the young but in some ways more seasoned leads. Bobbi Salvor Menuez (I Love Dick) stars as a lovelorn teen-wolf living in the sticks who looks at Amandla Stenberg’s (Bodies Bodies Bodies) figure skater with the kind of longing you...
- 1/25/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘My Animal’ Star Amandla Stenberg Talks the Supernatural Romance and Being Manifested by ‘Star Wars’
Amandla Stenberg regrets not being able to attend the Sundance premiere of her new film My Animal, but she’s been a little preoccupied in a galaxy far, far away. Fortunately, Paramount picked up the ‘80s-set supernatural romance prior to the Park City festival, so Stenberg’s collaborators didn’t really need the budding superstar to help garner interest on-site.
Jacqueline Castel’s feature directorial debut revolves around a small-town romance between Bobbi Salvör Menuez’s Heather and Stenberg’s Jonny, as both characters struggle to embrace their true selves. The two lead actors had already been friends for a number of years, so Stenberg immediately connected with the material and said yes to Menuez and Castel’s pitch.
“[My Animal] felt like the kind of queer teenage dreamscape that I wish I’d grown up with. It was the queer world that I had fantasized about and dreamt about while growing up,...
Jacqueline Castel’s feature directorial debut revolves around a small-town romance between Bobbi Salvör Menuez’s Heather and Stenberg’s Jonny, as both characters struggle to embrace their true selves. The two lead actors had already been friends for a number of years, so Stenberg immediately connected with the material and said yes to Menuez and Castel’s pitch.
“[My Animal] felt like the kind of queer teenage dreamscape that I wish I’d grown up with. It was the queer world that I had fantasized about and dreamt about while growing up,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Director Jacqueline Castel and screenwriter Jae Matthews (The Runner) give a new spin on the werewolf mythos with My Animal (read my review here).
The feature debut by Castel, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, sees a teen outcast connect with and fall for a town newcomer, igniting a personal transformation. My Animal stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
Bloody Disgusting spoke with Castel about her debut, the werewolf metaphor, and the symbolism behind her use of the color red.
Castel breaks down what attracted her to Matthews’ script and its approach to the werewolf metaphor, both as Otherness and Heather’s (Salvör Menuez) sexual discovery.
“I’m connected to outsider stories,” Castle explains. “I’m interested in telling outsider stories and stories that exist on the fringes of society. That was something that attracted me...
The feature debut by Castel, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, sees a teen outcast connect with and fall for a town newcomer, igniting a personal transformation. My Animal stars Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Amandla Stenberg, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
Bloody Disgusting spoke with Castel about her debut, the werewolf metaphor, and the symbolism behind her use of the color red.
Castel breaks down what attracted her to Matthews’ script and its approach to the werewolf metaphor, both as Otherness and Heather’s (Salvör Menuez) sexual discovery.
“I’m connected to outsider stories,” Castle explains. “I’m interested in telling outsider stories and stories that exist on the fringes of society. That was something that attracted me...
- 1/25/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
The werewolf — the idea that a human being can suddenly transform into a savage beast — has fascinated people for centuries, from folklore and mythology to books and, of course, films. The movies have always loved a good werewolf tale, be it "The Wolf Man," "An American Werewolf in London," "Ginger Snaps," or, uh, "Teen Wolf." "My Animal" is the latest entry in the never-ending subgenre, and it's not your typical lycanthrope flick. A moody slow burn loaded with style and a killer score, "My Animal" is a queer werewolf tale using the idea of the werewolf to symbolize its lead character's inner struggles. In other words, don't expect a ton of cool transformation scenes where someone suddenly grows fur and sprouts fangs.
Heather, played by Bobbi Salvör Menuez, is a young woman who also happens to turn into a wolf when the moon is full and the clock strikes midnight.
Heather, played by Bobbi Salvör Menuez, is a young woman who also happens to turn into a wolf when the moon is full and the clock strikes midnight.
- 1/25/2023
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
“These kind of stories have sustained us for 25 years.”
IndieWire’s Eric Kohn set the tone at the First-Time Filmmakers Cocktail Party, presented by Canada Goose at Sundance on January 22. The original stories and perspectives from directors making their feature debuts powers IndieWire and the film industry, and IndieWire couldn’t be happier to celebrate them.
There’s something electric about new filmmakers meeting each other for the first time. At the three-hour event, hosted at the Canada Goose Basecamp on Main Street in Park City, “Aum: The Cult at the End of the World” co-director Chiaki Yanigimoto talked with “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” filmmaker Anna Hints, while Sing J. Lee arrived with the cast of his stirring film “The Accidental Getaway Driver.” Narrative filmmakers exchanged tips with documentarians, and everyone celebrated cinema.
Among the other attendees were Lin Alluna, Thembi L. Banks, Razelle Benally, Ben Braun, Jacqueline Castel, Mstyslav Chernov,...
IndieWire’s Eric Kohn set the tone at the First-Time Filmmakers Cocktail Party, presented by Canada Goose at Sundance on January 22. The original stories and perspectives from directors making their feature debuts powers IndieWire and the film industry, and IndieWire couldn’t be happier to celebrate them.
There’s something electric about new filmmakers meeting each other for the first time. At the three-hour event, hosted at the Canada Goose Basecamp on Main Street in Park City, “Aum: The Cult at the End of the World” co-director Chiaki Yanigimoto talked with “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” filmmaker Anna Hints, while Sing J. Lee arrived with the cast of his stirring film “The Accidental Getaway Driver.” Narrative filmmakers exchanged tips with documentarians, and everyone celebrated cinema.
Among the other attendees were Lin Alluna, Thembi L. Banks, Razelle Benally, Ben Braun, Jacqueline Castel, Mstyslav Chernov,...
- 1/24/2023
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
“Queer Canadian female teen werewolf movie” may sound mighty specific as a subgenre, yet 23 years after John Fawcett’s delicious cult item “Ginger Snaps,” along comes “My Animal” to ensure it’s no longer in a category of one. A sleek, sensuous debut feature from accomplished short film and music video director Jacqueline Castel, this chilly tale of a suburban outcast whose headlong crush on an alluring figure skater threatens to expose her shape-shifting secret skitters lithely between genres — touching on young adult romance, creature horror and dysfunctional family drama — while keeping its own identity as fluid and elusive as that of its wounded, haunted protagonist.
As played by striking nonbinary performer Bobbi Salvör Menuez, protagonist Heather is among the more intriguing werewolves in horror history: a girl whose introverted demeanor and androgynous appearance have already placed her on the social fringes of her sleepy, snow-blanketed northern Canadian town, and...
As played by striking nonbinary performer Bobbi Salvör Menuez, protagonist Heather is among the more intriguing werewolves in horror history: a girl whose introverted demeanor and androgynous appearance have already placed her on the social fringes of her sleepy, snow-blanketed northern Canadian town, and...
- 1/23/2023
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Werewolves in horror often depict the afflicted as desperate to repress or separate themselves from their carnivorous Other self. My Animal instead correlates that Otherness with relatable emotions tied to feeling out of place within society. That angle gives a new spin on a classic monster tale, with its horror rooted more firmly in reality.
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) struggles more than most teens her age in her small Northern town. The social outcast aspires to play goalie for the local hockey team, despite the coach’s harsh preference for male players and preferential treatment toward her younger brothers. Heather’s alcoholic mother (Heidi von Palleske) wreaks havoc on her home life thanks to her volatile mood swings. Then there’s the pesky problem that requires Heather to be shackled every full moon, inherited from dad (Stephen McHattie). Then she meets town newcomer Jonny (Amandla Stenberg), a rebellious figure skater.
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) struggles more than most teens her age in her small Northern town. The social outcast aspires to play goalie for the local hockey team, despite the coach’s harsh preference for male players and preferential treatment toward her younger brothers. Heather’s alcoholic mother (Heidi von Palleske) wreaks havoc on her home life thanks to her volatile mood swings. Then there’s the pesky problem that requires Heather to be shackled every full moon, inherited from dad (Stephen McHattie). Then she meets town newcomer Jonny (Amandla Stenberg), a rebellious figure skater.
- 1/23/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
The idea that monsters are an allegory for the human condition is just about as old as the ideas of monsters themselves. But we keep coming back to it because the human condition is full of monstrousness. And also movies where people bite each other are nifty.
Fantastical creatures like werewolves hold up a mirror to our own inner natures, revealing uncomfortable truths about our lusts, our shames, our hidden strengths, our hidden weaknesses. And when the makeup department has a decent budget, they look pretty cool, too.
And so it goes that Jacqueline Castel’s debut feature “My Animal” utilizes the werewolf mythology as our entryway for a queer coming-of-age tale. Bobbi Salvör Menuez (“Under My Skin”) stars as Heather, a young woman still living with her parents and two younger, twin brothers in a snowy town in Canada. She spends her days practicing hockey, even though the local...
Fantastical creatures like werewolves hold up a mirror to our own inner natures, revealing uncomfortable truths about our lusts, our shames, our hidden strengths, our hidden weaknesses. And when the makeup department has a decent budget, they look pretty cool, too.
And so it goes that Jacqueline Castel’s debut feature “My Animal” utilizes the werewolf mythology as our entryway for a queer coming-of-age tale. Bobbi Salvör Menuez (“Under My Skin”) stars as Heather, a young woman still living with her parents and two younger, twin brothers in a snowy town in Canada. She spends her days practicing hockey, even though the local...
- 1/23/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) stars in the upcoming Sundance horror movie My Animal, which will World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this coming weekend.
The premiere takes place January 22, 2023 at 11:55 p.m. at The Ray Theatre.
In the meantime, check out the official poster art for My Animal below.
My Animal is the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel. Stenberg stars alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
In the film…
“Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small northern town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The girls’ relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother, her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse that transforms her into a feral wolf under the full moon.
“Heather and Jonny’s secret tryst...
The premiere takes place January 22, 2023 at 11:55 p.m. at The Ray Theatre.
In the meantime, check out the official poster art for My Animal below.
My Animal is the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel. Stenberg stars alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Stephen Mchattie, Heidi Von Palleske, Cory Lipman, and Joe Apollonio.
In the film…
“Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small northern town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The girls’ relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother, her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse that transforms her into a feral wolf under the full moon.
“Heather and Jonny’s secret tryst...
- 1/18/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
My Animal: Official Key Art And Key Set For Horror Romance Debut Ahead of World Premiere at Sundance
Jacqueline Castel's horror romance My Animal is having its world premiere at Sundance next week, as part of the Midnight program. The key art and key art have been sent over. Check out the gallery below for a look-see. Heather, an outcast teenage goalie, longs to play on the hockey team of her small northern town. She meets and falls in love with newcomer Jonny, an alluring but tormented figure skater. The girls’ relationship blossoms despite Heather’s struggles with her alcoholic mother,her hidden sexual orientation, and a familial curse that transforms her into a feral wolf under thefull moon. Heather and Jonny’s secret tryst soon clashes against the conformity of their small community, exposing dangerous truths and igniting a passionate, violent night of personal...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/17/2023
- Screen Anarchy
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I was last in Park City to enjoy the Sundance Film Festival in person, which is why this writer is beyond thrilled to be headed back to Utah next week to partake in their amazing lineup of films once again. Sundance 2023 officially kicks off on Thursday, January 19th, and will be running through Sunday, January 29th. And while we’re undoubtedly stoked for the fest’s slate of Midnight titles, there are also a handful of genre films playing in other categories that this writer is definitely going to check out during my time at Sundance as well.
In anticipation of our return to Park City next week, here’s a look at 12 different horror, sci-fi, and genre-adjacent films that are playing at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. As usual, Sundance serves as a fantastic kickoff for the festival season,...
In anticipation of our return to Park City next week, here’s a look at 12 different horror, sci-fi, and genre-adjacent films that are playing at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. As usual, Sundance serves as a fantastic kickoff for the festival season,...
- 1/12/2023
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
In 2022, slasher movies reigned supreme. From the nostalgia-ripping "Scream" sequel to Ti West's bloody "X" trilogy, fans of the genre were treated to a bit of everything. This is especially true with the slasher-comedy "Bodies Bodies Bodies," which saw a new, unlikely horror star emerge. Amandla Stenberg, previously known for their work in YA novel adaptations, has solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the genre. They may have their own "Star Wars" show in the works, but Stenberg is not leaving horror fans behind any time soon, either.
"My Animal" is set to be the next foray into horror for Stenberg, but they will be trading the comedic undertones of "Bodies" for a straight-up monster flick this time around. Although Stenberg will be joined by a familiar face or two on this latest endeavor, "My Animal" features an up-and-coming cast and crew looking to their...
"My Animal" is set to be the next foray into horror for Stenberg, but they will be trading the comedic undertones of "Bodies" for a straight-up monster flick this time around. Although Stenberg will be joined by a familiar face or two on this latest endeavor, "My Animal" features an up-and-coming cast and crew looking to their...
- 12/13/2022
- by Marcos Melendez
- Slash Film
The horror romance My Animal – which stars Amandla Stenberg of Bodies Bodies Bodies (read our review of that one Here) and Bobbi Salvör Menuez of Nocturnal Animals (which we reviewed at This Link) – will be making its debut at the Sundance Film Festival next month, but before the audience there has had a chance to see it Paramount Worldwide Acquisition Group has already swooped in and acquired the global distribution rights to the film. (Excluding Canada.)
The feature directorial debut of Jacqueline Castel, who was working from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jae Matthews, My Animal is set in a small northern town and tells the story of Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater. As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.
The feature directorial debut of Jacqueline Castel, who was working from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jae Matthews, My Animal is set in a small northern town and tells the story of Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater. As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.
- 12/12/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) stars in the upcoming Sundance horror movie My Animal, and THR reports this afternoon that the film has been acquired by Paramount.
The Hollywood Reporter notes, “The studio has landed global distribution rights, excluding Canada, with distribution plans still to be determined.”
“Set in a small northern town, the story follows Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Bobbi Salvör Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Amandla Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater. As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.”
My Animal is the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel.
Jae Matthews wrote the screenplay.
Castel said in a statement to THR, “Bobbi and Amandla were my first choices when we began casting My Animal – the synchronicity of their dual commitment is the kind of magically aligned rarity that a director always dreams of.
The Hollywood Reporter notes, “The studio has landed global distribution rights, excluding Canada, with distribution plans still to be determined.”
“Set in a small northern town, the story follows Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Bobbi Salvör Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Amandla Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater. As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.”
My Animal is the feature debut of director Jacqueline Castel.
Jae Matthews wrote the screenplay.
Castel said in a statement to THR, “Bobbi and Amandla were my first choices when we began casting My Animal – the synchronicity of their dual commitment is the kind of magically aligned rarity that a director always dreams of.
- 12/12/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Click here to read the full article.
Before its Sundance Film Festival debut, horror romance My Animal has been picked up by Paramount Worldwide Acquisition Group.
The studio has landed global distribution rights, excluding Canada, with distribution plans still to be determined.
Amandla Stenberg stars in the film, the feature directorial debut from Jacqueline Castel, alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez (I Love Dick, Under the Silver Lake). Set in a small northern town, the story follows Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater. The rest of the logline reads: “As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.”
The movie is set to premiere at the Park City festival in the Midnight section.
Written by Jae Matthews, My Animal is produced by Andrew Bronfman (The Kid...
Before its Sundance Film Festival debut, horror romance My Animal has been picked up by Paramount Worldwide Acquisition Group.
The studio has landed global distribution rights, excluding Canada, with distribution plans still to be determined.
Amandla Stenberg stars in the film, the feature directorial debut from Jacqueline Castel, alongside Bobbi Salvör Menuez (I Love Dick, Under the Silver Lake). Set in a small northern town, the story follows Heather, an outcast teenage hockey goalie (Menuez), who falls for the town’s newcomer (Stenberg), an alluring but tormented figure skater. The rest of the logline reads: “As their relationship deepens, Heather’s growing desires clash with her darkest secret, forcing her to control the animal within.”
The movie is set to premiere at the Park City festival in the Midnight section.
Written by Jae Matthews, My Animal is produced by Andrew Bronfman (The Kid...
- 12/12/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Taking place January 19th–29th, the 2023 Sundance Film Festival will spotlight 99 feature films from around the globe, and we have a look at the full list of movies screening in the eclectic and eerie Midnight category, including the world premieres of Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool and Kenneth Dagatan's In My Mother’s Skin:
From the Press Release: From horror and comedy to works that defy genre classification, these films will keep you wide awake, even at the most arduous hour. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include Fresh, Hereditary, Mandy, Relic, Assassination Nation, and The Babadook.
birth/rebirth / U.S.A. — A single mother and a childless morgue technician are bound together by their relationship to a little girl they have reanimated from the dead. Cast: Marin Ireland, Judy Reyes, A.J. Lister, Breeda Wool. World Premiere. Fiction. Day One
In My Mother’s Skin...
From the Press Release: From horror and comedy to works that defy genre classification, these films will keep you wide awake, even at the most arduous hour. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include Fresh, Hereditary, Mandy, Relic, Assassination Nation, and The Babadook.
birth/rebirth / U.S.A. — A single mother and a childless morgue technician are bound together by their relationship to a little girl they have reanimated from the dead. Cast: Marin Ireland, Judy Reyes, A.J. Lister, Breeda Wool. World Premiere. Fiction. Day One
In My Mother’s Skin...
- 12/8/2022
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
It’s that time of the year again when the Sundance Film Festival shares all of its horror discoveries that we’ll be seeing in the next few years.
Today they announced the comprehensive slate of independent films selected from the fest that will take place January 19–29, 2023, in person in Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Sundance Resort, along with a selection of films available online across the country January 24–29, 2023.
Bloody Disgusting combed through the entire program this afternoon and pulled out all of the genre films of note, with first-look images and information where available.
What are you most excited to see at Sundance next year?
Midnight: From horror and comedy to works that defy genre classification, these films will keep you wide awake, even at the most arduous hour. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include Fresh, Hereditary, Mandy, Relic, Assassination Nation, and The Babadook.
Today they announced the comprehensive slate of independent films selected from the fest that will take place January 19–29, 2023, in person in Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Sundance Resort, along with a selection of films available online across the country January 24–29, 2023.
Bloody Disgusting combed through the entire program this afternoon and pulled out all of the genre films of note, with first-look images and information where available.
What are you most excited to see at Sundance next year?
Midnight: From horror and comedy to works that defy genre classification, these films will keep you wide awake, even at the most arduous hour. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include Fresh, Hereditary, Mandy, Relic, Assassination Nation, and The Babadook.
- 12/7/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Caleb Landry Jones returns with a new preview of his second album, “Gadzooks. Vol.1.” Its first single, “The Loon,” is a unique music video format that showcases both his musical venture and acting prowess. It’s a swirling dichotomy of ideas built around experimental filmmaking’s most basic tenets. He looked to director Jacqueline Castel for help while crafting the audio/visual project. The filmmaker worked with Landry Jones previous to the video, but her influence here goes further.
Continue reading “The Loon”: Watch The Psychedelic Creepy Video For Caleb Landry Jones’ Latest Single at The Playlist.
Continue reading “The Loon”: Watch The Psychedelic Creepy Video For Caleb Landry Jones’ Latest Single at The Playlist.
- 8/20/2021
- by Valerie Thompson
- The Playlist
Sacred Bones Records has released “Nike Soldier,” the first offering from an upcoming lost album from late punk pioneer Alan Vega. Mutator is set to arrive April 23rd.
The album comprises recordings Vega made with frequent collaborator and wife Liz Lamere during sessions that took place in New York City between 1995 to 1996. In 2019, Lamere and Vega’s friend and confidante, Jared Artaud, discovered the tapes and set about mixing and producing Mutator.
“Nike Soldier” isn’t exactly a new Vega cut — an earlier version was released in 2015 on a 10-inch vinyl single from Fuzz Club,...
The album comprises recordings Vega made with frequent collaborator and wife Liz Lamere during sessions that took place in New York City between 1995 to 1996. In 2019, Lamere and Vega’s friend and confidante, Jared Artaud, discovered the tapes and set about mixing and producing Mutator.
“Nike Soldier” isn’t exactly a new Vega cut — an earlier version was released in 2015 on a 10-inch vinyl single from Fuzz Club,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
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